Traffic Management Strategy 2002

This page last modified 5 Sept 2002

NYCC is developing a Traffic Management Strategy for Skipton (Sept 2002). The public get to have their say. There will be an exhibition (with plans available etc) in a marquee behind the Town Hall between Thursday 19th September and Saturday 21st September. Exact times & dates. The NYCC website also has an online questionnaire for the general public (thats you) to have your say.

On this page is an explanation of what they are planning, complete with detailed plans, and the facility for you to add your own comments

Plan of Option A- jpg - 428kb
Plan of Option B - jpg - 163kb
Plan of Option C - jpg - 248kb
Plan of Bus Station - jpg - 270kb

The rest of this page (below) is a straight rip-off (done on 5th Sept 2002) of the official (NYCC) website at: http://www.nycc-consultation.info/skipton/index.htm . If you want more info, check there first.

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Introduction

North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) has afforded transport and pedestrian access related issues a high priority within Skipton over a number of years. It is felt that what is needed now is a more comprehensive strategy for managing traffic over the next 5 to 10 years. The aim is to come up with a strategy which provides long lasting improvements, especially for vulnerable road users, whilst helping the local economy and improving the environment for both residents and visitors.

This strategy looks at the current problems of traffic, parking, public transport and other related issues in Skipton. It also considers what we might aim to achieve and how we might go about it.

Many local organisations and individuals have helped identify the problems which need tackling. They have also helped to develop the three options contained within the strategy. We would like your views in order to help decide the best way forward.

What are the problems?

• Footpath and Pedestrian Issues - Potential conflict between pedestrians and motor vehicles, particularly in the central area of the town on market days. Safe pedestrian routes needed between bus and rail stations, the town centre and the Skipton Building Society.
• Facilities for the Mobility Impaired and Wheelchair Users - The provision and quality of facilities including the signing of key routes and disabled parking bays.
• Cycling - Lack of safe cycling routes, including routes to school. Secure cycle parking facilities are felt to be inadequate. Potential for using the canal towpath should be explored.
• Public Transport - Issues raised include access to information, frequency of services and the state of existing facilities and stops, particularly for the elderly and mobility impaired.
• Tourist Coaches - Facilities for set down/pick up and parking.
• Traffic Flows - Unnecessary journeys by private cars and goods vehicles through the town centre. Too many Heavy Goods Vehicles passing through the High Street.
• Parking Issues - Many parking issues have been identified including: the abuse of current parking restrictions, access to and utilisation of existing car parks, commuter parking in residential areas and the level of parking at the railway station.
• Signing Issues - Directional signing is perceived to lack clarity and is felt to be insufficient to direct drivers, especially visitors, to the nearest car park when entering the town.
• Road Safety - Too many traffic accidents which cause injury to pedestrians and other road users. Safety problems outside schools particularly at the beginning and end of the school day.
• Speed Limits - Speeding problems on a number of routes particularly in the Middletown area. Lower speed limits are needed.

What are we trying to achieve?

The following objectives were used to develop the Transport Management Strategy options and complementary measures. They are not listed in a priority order.

• Establish a network of signed safe routes for pedestrians and the mobility or sensory impaired, between key attractors.
• Develop a network of cycle routes and facilities to make cycling safe, comfortable and a realistic alternative to using a car.
• Improve the coherence, quality and attractiveness of public transport facilities.
• Produce in conjunction with Craven District Council, a coherent parking strategy to encompass both on and off street parking.
• Reduce unnecessary cross-town journeys
• Enhance safety for all road users, and in particular, reduce the potential for pedestrian/vehicle conflict within the central area of the town.

How can it be achieved?

NYCC has worked closely with its partner consultant Mouchel North Yorkshire to develop schemes that can deliver the objectives and provide an overall benefit for Skipton. Three options have been developed, two relating to the town as a whole and the third focusing on the High Street. A number of measures are also proposed including improvements to bus stops and upgrading of crossing points and safer routes to schools. The County Council has allocated funds in its capital budget to allow schemes up to the value of £100,000 to commence this financial year (2002/03).

For one or more of the options to be developed the necessary level of support would be required from the local community through this consultation process. Progress with implementing the other improvements is not dependent on any of the options being chosen, so a number of these can be made even if none of the options is supported.

Option A
This focuses on improving road safety, enhancing cycling, pedestrian and public transport facilities, the introduction of residents parking zones and the removal of Goods Vehicles using the High Street as a through route. Proposed schemes include:

• Junctions: Improvements to the following junctions: Caroline Square; Water Street at Mill Bridge; Newmarket Street at Otley Road; Keighley Road/Craven Street and Keighley Road/Carleton Road.
• Pedestrian measures: The upgrading of Black Walk as the preferred route between the Rail Station, Bus Station and town centre; ramps at Gallows Bridge; and the pedestrianisation of Sheep Street.
• Cycling measures: The existing canal tow-paths will be upgraded to facilitate joint use by pedestrians and cyclists. An additional signed link from Skipton General Hospital to the Rail Station using Carleton Road and Carleton New Road.
• Public transport: Formalise the ‘Hail and Ride’ sections of the town bus services, providing signing to define the extent of the ‘Hail and Ride’ and to raise awareness of such services.
• Car parking: It is proposed that ‘Parking Discs’ be introduced for parking on the High Street setts. Charging in off-street car parks will be restructured to encourage long-stay use of spaces furthest from the town centre. Signing to car parks will also be refined.
• Residents parking zones will be created. Residents paying a small annual charge for permits and non-residents only allowed to park for short periods, typically 30 minutes or 2 hours in specific locations.

(Plan of Option A- jpg - 428kb)

Option B
This builds on the measures proposed in Option A and enhances residential areas. Proposed schemes include:

• An extended area around the High Street would be incorporated into a 20 mph zone. This would include Swadford Street, Keighley Road to the entrance of the Bus Station, Mill Bridge, the lower end of The Bailey, Otley Street, Court Lane, Bunkers Hill and the western end of Newmarket Street where the combination of narrow footways and a narrow carriageway have resulted in a number of accidents.
• The section of Otley Street between High Street and Court Lane would be pedestrianised. The servicing of retail premises would be unaffected.
• A ‘Home Zone’ would be created in the Middletown Area, giving residents the chance to choose how the road space within the area is managed in terms of: environmental enhancement, restriction of traffic; parking; and alternate uses of some space.
• Other residential areas of the town would benefit from localised traffic calming to address specific problems and issues, with long-term potential for the extension of the ‘Home Zone’ concept.

(Plan of Option B - jpg - 163kb)

Option C
Option C focuses on the potential to rationalise the space within the High Street whilst retaining space for the operation of the Market and car parking. Two alternatives have been developed.

• The first would see the creation of a pedestrian strip on both edges of the carriageway on High Street. This would be defined in a distinct but complementary material and would aid pedestrian movement and afford those crossing High Street a degree of protection, particularly on market days.
• The second involves the creation of a ‘Market Place’ within the centre of High Street. This option would involve the relocation of the existing setts from the kerbside to the central area and as such would require the support of the businesses located on the High Street. Traffic movement would be restricted to a carriageway area between the existing kerbline and new central area, which would also provide adequate space for delivery vehicles. Traffic on this carriageway would be restricted to 20 mph and traffic calming measures, such as raised crossing points, would keep speeds low

(Plan of Option C - jpg - 248kb)

If you prefer, you can download a .pdf copy of the plans for viewing in Adobe Acrobat

What about the Bus Station?

One problem identified by the study was the condition of existing public transport facilities in Skipton including the Bus Station. The County Council is committed to developing infrastructure at key waiting and interchange points and two initial concepts have been developed to make improvements to the Bus Station

Concept 1
Improves the current facilities within Waller Hill with a revised layout, improved bus stands and passenger waiting area. This may also include: six bus stands with low floor bus boarder kerbs; taxi rank with space for twenty vehicles; three layover stands for local bus services; secure and practical waiting facilities; passenger and general town information; CCTV cameras; and specialist disabled provision.

Concept 2
Seeks to provide a public transport focus on Waller Hill, with a view to serving current and future needs. This could include: six bus stands with low floor bus boarder kerbs; taxi rank with space for twenty six vehicles; coach “drop off” facilities; three layover stands for local bus services; short stay parking for seven coaches (relocated from the Town Hall Car Park); secure and practical waiting facilities; passenger and general town information; CCTV cameras; and specialist disabled provision.

This phase of the bus station consultation is only the first stage and more detailed consultation will take place involving users and a specialist working group which has been set up to look at relevant issues surrounding the project. £500,000 has been set aside to implement the improvements and once a suitable design has been agreed it is expected that the project will be completed in the financial year 2003/04.

(Plan of Bus Station - jpg - 270kb)

How can you help?

If you need a clearer understanding of the plans come to the exhibition. This will be held between Thursday 19 September and Saturday 21 September in a Marquee in the car park behind Skipton Town Hall. At the exhibition you will be able to discuss the proposals with representatives of both the County Council and Mouchel. The exhibition will be open at the following times: Thursday 19th September between 14:00 and 20:00; Friday 20th September between 10:00 and 20:00; and, Saturday 21st September between 10:00 and 16:00.

Whilst any comments would be helpful, it would be appreciated if you would also complete the questionnaire online. All comments and questionnaires should be received by NYCC no later than Friday 27 September 2002.

Your views will be considered on an equal basis with those of other people and organisations. The final strategy for implementation will be guided by the responses received. Formal proposals will be published before implementation of those elements of the strategy that require detailed consultation prior to their implementation.

The postal address for written comments is:

Graham Cressey
Environmental Enhancement
North Yorkshire County Council
County Hall
Northallerton